Background: Many non-surgical and surgical procedures have been used to treat patients with chronic recurrent temporomandibular joint dislocation (CRTMJD). Autologous blood injection (ABI) represents a promising approach.
Aim of the work: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ABI in the treatment of patients with CRTMJD.
Patients and Methods: This prospective comparative study involved patients with CRTMJD who were treated by arthrocentesis and ABI with those treated with arthrocentesis alone between January 2017 and January 2020. Analysis of clinical presentation, diagnosis, close observation of patients has been carried out.
Results: 140 patients were included in this study, 87 were males and 53 were females. Their ages ranged between 16 to 82 years. They were randomly divided into two groups of 70 each. Group-1 received arthrocentesis followed by ABI and Group-2 received arthrocentesis alone. In group-1, only one ABI was required and was successful in 63 patients and re-injection was required in 7 patients. None of the patients need surgery due to re-injection failure.
Conclusion: Positive results on this modality were observed, some questions are still noted about the effect of blood injection on the articular cartilage and on the development of fibrous or bony ankylosis.